Garden experts have warned that certain pests could be hiding in your greenhouse this winter.Tiny red spider mites tend to hibernate in cracks and crevices such as greenhouse frames and plant debris. The species are considered pests because they suck sup from plants, causing devastating consequences. Experts stressed you should look out for pests on greenhouse plants such as tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines and peppers. Homeowners should also keep an eye on house plants such as poinsettias and orchids.
If you forget to check your plants, the creepy crawlies can quickly cause havoc in your greenhouse. They can slightly differ in colour from summer to winter and go from being pale green to red and orange in the colder months. It's important to try and get control of them in the winter as they can multiply in the warmer seasons.
British Pest Control Association (BPCA) recently issued an alert about the pests and said they try to search for spaces to hide in winter, reports Pest Magazine. Natalie Bungay, technical manager at BPCA, revealed they can "move indoors in very large numbers".
She said: “A few Red Spider Mites around the home is not unusual in the autumn, but occasionally, they can move indoors in very large numbers which can be both distressing and cause issues with staining. DIY treatment of a mite infestation is unlikely to be successful as there are two species in the UK and correct identification is key. The two species have very different habits and understanding this is essential to effective control.”.
